Photos: Getting dirty at a Japanese mud festival

Buddhika Weerasinghe, Getty Images08.20.2013

A Japanese festival-goers dives in the mud catch to wining flag during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.

Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese children play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

A mother washes his children during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play tug-of-war in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

A man arranges mud in the field during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese children play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

A Japanese festival-goer smiles after he dived in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers walk through the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers dive in the mud to catch the winning flag during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers wait to play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play tug-of-war in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers wait to play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers run in the mud catch to the winning flag during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers dive in the mud catch to a flag during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Japanese festival-goers walk along the edge of the mud field during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

A Japanese festival-goer wears make-up during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

A Japanese festival-goer washes off mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held annually to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community.Buddhika Weerasinghe
/ Getty Images

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.